The most dangerous wildfire weather of the year arrived July 31 in Washington, with crackling-dry forests and grasslands, soaring temperatures and increased probability of multiple large fires from now through the middle of next week, according to wildfire experts at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

More than 200 people volunteer throughout the year at the Sno-Valley Senior Center in Carnation. They will be recognized at a volunteer appreciation luncheon and ice cream social, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the center.

Tradition is important in Carnation, where change happens slowly, but surely. The city of just over 1,000 people has struggled in recent years with budget cuts and finding ways to fund police services. Building in the city was stalled for decades because the city was on septic systems but now, the city’s “new” sewer system is nine years old and a long awaited development of nearly 100 homes is on its way.

Public Hospital District 4, better known as the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District, has been through some big developments in recent years, including a short-lived exploration of a possible sale to Overlake Hospital and the construction and this spring’s opening of a state-of-the-art new hospital facility, pictured at right.

The Seattle Knights are a stage combat performance troupe that sell their services to Renaissance faires, Medieval Times-style dinner theater venues and film or television productions — recently, members even appeared as extras on HBO’s Game of Thrones.

The (Seattle Times) story about the troubled history of Officer Nick Hogan is astonishing. An officer accused of crushing the bones to the tune of two settlements totaling $275,000, fired from the Tukwila force, job applications rejected by Tacoma and other jurisdictions, but then hired by Snoqualmie?

The Cellular Connection, a wireless store that recently opened in Snoqualmie Ridge, will host a backpack giveaway from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, in front of The Ridge IGA. Children can receive a free backpack with school supplies, while supplies last.

Snoqualmie knowingly hired a police officer with a history of using excessive force, according to two articles in the Seattle Times (July 16 and 18). They state that the officer was fired from the Tukwila Police Department after two of his arrests cost that city $275,000, and also report that four police departments subsequently turned down his application for employment. His involvement in the anti-drug group Straight Edge, “considered a gang by some law enforcement agencies” according to the articles, was a factor. If all of this is true, the why would the city hire him?

North Bend is governed by a seven-member council, which has four positions to be filled in the November general election. Only two seats are on the primary ballot, since more than two candidates have filed for each seat.